A 3 season tent is adequate year round unless you expect high winds and heavy snow. If you want to start camping in that, you should get a second tent. I carry an REI tent (I have a no-longer made 1 person and a Half Dome SL 2+, for solo vs with my wife). They're not the lightest (SL2+ is about 5 lbs), but they're bombproof and freestanding, so very easy to set up, and they're reasonably priced. The SL2+ lists for over $300, but if you wait for a sale, you're sure to find one under $300. The Nemo Aurora is similar, at a similar price point.
REI Half Dome SL held up great in a storm for me. sets up quick, fits 2-3 people easy. Nemo Dragonfly if you're backpacking. Marmot Tungsten if car camping and want cheaper. get a 3-person for you + dog + friend. test it at home first.
Second this. I carry the tent and my wife offsets by carrying most of the cooking stuff. We're not super-duper ultralighters of course, but I don't think it's bad at all. We got the Half Dome SL 2+ for when there's a dog with us and the extra room is nice.
I have a variety of tents based in the situation I am camping in.
Backpacking -REI half dome 2SL
Car camping short trip - Ozark trail 6 person instant tent (used to have a core instant tent that was better quality. Started leaking on a trip after around 100 nights of use and did a quick replace at Walmart due to continued rain in the forecast. This is also the one I lend out to friends when needed.)
Car camping longer trip - Coleman 8person skydome
Car camping but walk in site of 1 mile or less Core 6 person dome tent with vestibule.
Top Camping Tents on Reddit
1
The North Face
Wawona 6
86% positive of 132 users
Spacious vestibule, strong in storms, but rainfly tricky solo.
baddspellar
